Type-distributing machine.



No. 785,649. PATENTED MAR. 21,1905.

E. A. ADGOGK.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED M11131, 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 785,649. I I I PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

E. A. ADGOGK.

I TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTBD MAR. 21, 1905.

E. A. ADOOGK.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1904.

N0.-,'7 85,649 PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

E. A. ADOOOK.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1904.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

LUH IINHIIHJHIIIHIIIIIII|||IIIIHIHIHIIIIIHIIHIIHH No. 785,649.. PATENTEDMAR. 21, 1905.

E. A.. ADGOGK.

TYPE DISTRIBUTINGMA GHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

NITED STATES,

Patented March 21, 1905.

PATENT OFFIcE;

EDWARD AUGUSTUS ADCOCK, OF READING, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO PULSO'METERENGINEERING COMPANY, LIMITED, OF READING,

ENGLAND.

TYPE-DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 785,649, dated March 21,1905.

Application filed May 31, 1904:. Serial No. 210,556.

To (all whom, it nea /y concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD AUGUSTUS AD- COOK, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain and Ireland, residing at Reading, in the county of Berks,England, have invented Improvements in Type-Distributing Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention consists of improvements in type-distributing machines.

The improvements have reference to the means used for detaching thesuccessive types from a line of types and discharging them one at a timeinto a type distributing or grouping device which is adapted to be setby the operation of one or other of a series of key-levers and serves todivide the ejected types into groups and to direct all the typescorresponding to each group into a stationary separating device adaptedautomatically to sift or separate the types belonging to each group fromone another, the objects of the improvements being to enable a muchwider range of types to be dealt with in one machine than heretoforepracticable and also to simplify the mechanism of the keyboard ascompared with previous constructions of typedistributing machines.

In a type-distributing machine according to this invention the foremosttype of a row of types fed endwise along a trough toward a fixed plateor abutment is by the operation of a key embraced on opposite edges byand between a pusher and a movable abutment or support and then by thepusher detached'sidewise from the line of type and moved laterallyrelatively to the row of type, so as to cause it to be brought over adischarge-hole in a supporting plate or surface, through which it isallowed to fall into a type distrib uting orgrouping device below.

To prevent the detached type from falling forward or backward during itslateral displacement, it is arranged to move between two guides, one ofwhich is or may be formed by the fixed plate or abutment against whichthe forward end of a line of type is pushed and the other of which isformed by a movable guide-block that is adapted to be first moved awayfrom the fixed guide to allow the foremost type to be detached from theline of type and then caused to move up to one side of the displacedtype and maintain it vertical while the type is being transferred to aposition above'the discharge-hole through which it falls.

The opening in the side of the type-trough through which the foremosttype is pushed is made sufficiently Wide to allow the Widest type dealtwith to be pushed therethrough. To prevent any other than the foremosttype for the time being from being pushed out, the pusher is made ofawidth not greater than the thinnest type to be dealt with, and toprevent any of the succeeding type from being drawn out by frictionalcontact with the foremost type when this is being ejected there isarranged at the side of the trough through which the foremost type isejected a flexible or yielding device, preferably in the form of a brushor comb, the free end of which is arranged to bear sidewise against thetype opposite to the lateral opening in the trough and has hairs, teeth,or blades of different lengths, so that while some of the hairs, teeth,or blades may be forced sidewise by the foremost type when it is beingejected the less projecting hairs, teeth, or blades will retain the typeor types adjacent to the foremost one in position within thetype-trough.

As will be obvious, type-detaching mechanism to operate in the mannerdescribed can be constructed in various forms.

One example of type-detaching mechanism according to this invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereof Figure 1 is a frontview of the apparatus, partly in section, corresponding to the line I ofFig. 2, which is a plan. Fig. 3 is a rear View of the apparatus. Fig. 4is a side view of the apparatus, partly in section, corresponding to theline IV of Fig. 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively an elevation and aplan of the brush; and Figs. 7 and 8, Figs. 9and 10, and Figs. 11 and 12are respectively corresponding sectional elevations and plans,representing parts of the apparatus in successive stages of operation.

In the example illustrated there extends across the forward end of thetype-trough l a fixed bar-or support 2, against the front side of whichare mounted to slide horizontally two suitably-guided plates 3 and 4,that are arranged on edge and in line with each other and are located atopposite sides of the typetrough 1 and above a horizontal table orsupport 5. Onenamely, 3of the plates serves as a pusher and is madesufficiently thin to eject the thinnest type to be dealt with. Thisplate, which is hereinafter called the pusher, is connected by apin-and-slot connection to one arm, 6, Fig. 1, of a bell-crank lever,the other arm, 7, of which is connected by a link 8 to a lever 9,pivoted at 10 and adapted to be operated by a key-lever 11 at eachdepression of a key 12. The other plate, 4, serves as alaterally-movable support or abutment and is connected to a spring 14,that tends to force that end of it which is nearest to the type-troughand which is preferably tapered, as shown, toward that trough andagainst one side of the foremost type therein. To the outer side of theplate 4 (which is hereinafter called the sliding abutment) there ispivoted a hook-like catch 15, adapted when the sliding abutment ispushed back sufliciently far to fall by gravity, aided, it may be, by aspring 16, into engagement with a pin 17, that is fixed to the front ofthe fixed bar or support 2 and retains the sliding abutment 4 in theposition into which it has been pushed back. In proximity to the freeend of the catch 15 is a cam or tappet 19, that is fixed on one end of arock-shaft and is adapted when raised to lift the catch 15 out ofengagement with its retaining-pin 17. Downward movement of the tappet islimited by a pin or stop 21, against which the tappet is normallypressed by a spring 22. The rock-shaft 20 extends horizontally throughthe fixed bar or support 2 and has fixed to its other end a notched armor disk 23, with which engages a pawl 24, carried by one arm, 25, of abellcrank lever, the other arm, 26, of which is jointed to a rod 27,that is connected to a bar or frame 28, arranged transversely below thekey-levers of the machine, so that on the depression of any one of thekey-levers the rod 27 and attached parts will be operated in a directionto lift the tappet 19. The pawl 24 is provided with a lateral pin 30,arranged to work over a fixed cam 31 and disengage the pawl at therequired time from the notched arm or disk 23.

At that side of the type-trough through which the foremost typeisejected is arranged a horizontal slide 33, the end of which next to thefixed bar or support 2 is notched, so as to form a projection 34,adapted to serve as a movable guide for the purpose hereinbeforeexplained. The slide 33 is pressed toward the fixed bar or support 2 andagainst a stop 34 by a spring 35 and is connected, through apin-and-slotconnection, to one end of a link 36, the other end of which is connectedto one arm of a bell-crank lever'37, that is pivoted plate 39, that ismounted on one end of the rock-shaft 20 and is connected to that shaft,preferably as shown, through a pin 40, fixed to the tappet 19. To thefront side of the sliding abutment 4 is attached a stop or projection42, that is adapted to be engaged with the end 34 of the slide 33 whenthe abutment is moved toward the trough 1 and then to hold the slide 33in an outer position until the foremost type has been partly ejectedfrom the type-trough. Arranged above the slide and fixed in anendwise-adjustable manner to one side of the type-trough casting is abrushholder 43, Figs 2 and 4 to 6, which has a surface 44, Fig. 6,inclined to the side of the trough and to which the hairs or bristles ofthe brush are fixed and which has also a surface 46, which is parallelto the side of the trough and over and against which the forward endportions of the hairs or bristles are bent into the position indicatedby dotted lines in Fig. 6 when the brush-holder is fixed in place, sothat the forward end portions of the hairs or bristles,which are made ofdifferent lengths, will then extend across the type-discharge opening 47in the trough and bear laterally against one side of those types thatare opposite to the opening and hold them in place.

In the horizontal table or support 5 and at the delivery side of thetrough is a vertical discharge-hole 48, through which the types can dropinto a type distributing or grouping device below.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Normally, Figs. 7 and 8.the pusher 3 is in its rearmost position, and the sliding abutment 4 isheld back with its catch 15 in engagement with the retaining-pin 17.When a key 12 of the distributingmachine is depressed, the pawl 24 willbe operated in a direction to rotate the rock-shaft 20 and cause thetappet 19 to lift the catch 15 out of engagement with the retaining-pin17 and permit the sliding abutment 4 to be moved by its spring 14 intocontact with the foremost type 50 in the typetrough 1, (see Figs. 9 and10,) and the slide 33, with movable guide 34, will at the same time bemoved away from the fixed bar or support 2 and will in the position intowhich it has been moved back be held by the engagement of the lateralprojection 42 on the sliding abutment 4 with its notched end 34. Thecontinued motion of the pawl 24 causes the pin 30 thereon to slide onthe adjacent cam 31, which forces the pawl 24 out of engagement with thenotched arm ordisk 23, so that the tappet 19 is permitted to be rapidlyreturned by its spring 22 into contact with its pin or stop 21, leavingthe notched end 34 of the slide 33 resting against the lateralprojection 42 and the plain portion of the catch 15 resting on theretaining-pin 17. The pusher 3 is now by the further movement of thekey-lever brought into action to force the foremost type 50 out of thetrough 1 against the action of the spring-pressed sliding abutment 1,which, together with the lateral stop 42 thereon, is pushed back. Whenthe type 50 is partly removed from the trough, Figs. 11 and 12, thelateral projection 42- will be removed from the slide 33, which willthen be moved toward the fixed bar or support 2 by its spring 35 andbring the guide 34 thereon into position to prevent the displaced type50 While being moved laterally from failing, the type 50 being then keptvertical by a support at each of its four sides. When the pusher 3 hasreached the end of its forward stroke, the catch 15 under the action ofits spring 16 drops over the retaining-pin 17, (see dotted lines inFigs. 11,) which then holds the sliding abutment 4 in its back position,so that when the pusher commences to make its return stroke thedisplaced type 50 will be released and (see dotted lines in Fig. 11)allowed to fall through the dischargehole 48. On the return of thepusher 8 to its rearmost position the row of types will be moved forwardby a weighted follower 51 in a well-known way, so that the foremost typein the trough will be pressed against the fixed bar or support 2 readyto be ejected the next time a key 12 is depressed. The brush 15 isadjusted so that the thinnest type will have free egress from thetrough, and when a thicker type is pushed out only the bristles in itspath will be moved aside, the remainder pressing upon the second type,which will thus be retained in the trough 1.

The type distributing or grouping device and type-separating device maybe of any known or suitable kind. They may, for example, be such asdescribed in the specification of Letters Patent No. 701,881.

What I claim is 1. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough havingatype-exit opening at one side thereof, means for forcinga line of typesalong in said trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement ofsaid types by said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on oppositesides of said trough, and means for causing said pusher and movableabutment to support on opposite sides the foremost type of said line,said pusher to move said foremost type while so supported through saidopening, and said foremost type to be liberated by said pusher andmovable abutment after being so moved.

2. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough havinga type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcinga line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sidesof said trough, means for causing said pusher to push the foremost typeof said line through said opening, means for pressing said movableabutment against said foremost type during its movement by said pusher,means for holding back said movable abutment when said pusher hascompleted its forward movement, and means for then drawing back saidpusher and so liberating said type. 1

3. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sidesof said trough, means for normally forcing said movable abutment towardsaid trough, retaining means for normally holding said movable abutmentout of contact with the foremost type of said line, and key mechanismadapted to be caused by the depression of a key both to liberate saidmovable abutment so as to allow it to be moved into contact with saidforemost type and also to move said pusher so as to push said foremosttype through said opening and thereby said movable abutment into aposition for engagement by said retaining means.

4:. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcinga line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sidesof said trough, means for normally forcing said movable abutment towardthe foremost type of said line, a catch adapted normally to hold saidmovable abutment away from said foremost type, a tappet adapted to movesaid catch so as to disengage said movable abutment, and key mechanismadapted to be caused by the depression of a key both to operate saidtappet so as to move said catch I as aforesaid and also to move saidpusher so as to push said foremost type through said opening and therebysaid movable abutment into a position for engagement by said retainingmeans.

5. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcinga line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a support leading from said opening to a point ofdischarge, means for moving the foremost type of said line through saidopening and to said point of discharge, a fixed guide forming acontinuation of said fixed abutment and adapted to guide the front faceof said foremost type while it is being moved over said support to saidpoint of discharge, and a movable guide adapted to guide the rear faceof said foremost type while it is being so moved to said point ofdischarge.

6. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of types alonginsaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a support leading from said opening to a point ofdischarge, a device for moving the foremost type of said line throughsaid opening and to said point of discharge, a fixed guide forming acontinuation of said fixed abutment and adapted to guide the front faceof said foremost type While it is being moved over said support to saidpoint of discharge, a movable guide adapted to guide the rear face ofsaid foremost type while it is being so moved to said point ofdischarge, and means for moving said movable guide away from said fixedguide and for then causing said device to move said foremost typethrough said opening and to said point of discharge.

'7. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a support leading from said opening to a point ofdischarge, a device for moving the foremost type of said line throughsaid opening and to said point of discharge, a fixed guide forming acontinuation of said fixed abutment and adapted to guide the front faceof said foremost type While it is being moved over said support to saidpoint of discharge, a movable guide adapted to guide the rear face ofsaid foremost type While it is being so moved to said point ofdischarge, and means for moving said movable guide away from said fixedguide, for then causing said device to move said foremost type throughsaid opening and to said point of discharge, and for moving said movableguide near to said foremost type before said foremost type has beencompletely ejected from said line of types.

8. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sidesof said trough, a support leading from said opening to a point ofdischarge, a fixed guide forming a continuation of said fixed abutmentand adapted to guide the front face of said foremost type while it isbeing moved over said support to said point of dischar e, a movableguide adapted to guide the rear face of said foremost type while it isbeing so moved to said point of discharge, means for moving said movableguide away from said fixed guide, for then moving said movable abutmentup to said foremost type, and for then causing said pusher to move saidforemost type through said opening and to said point of discharge, andmeans for causing said movable guide to move near to the rear face ofsaid foremost type before said foremost type. has been completelyejected from said line of types.

9, In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sidesof said trough, a support leading from said opening to a point ofdischarge, a fixed guide forming a continuation of said fixed abutmentand adapted to guide the front face of said foremost type while it isbeing moved over said support to said point of discharge, a movableguide adapted to guide the rear face of said foremost type while it isbeing so moved to said point of discharge, means for forcing saidmovable guide toward said fixed guide, means for moving said movableguide away from said fixed guide, for then moving said movable abutmentup to said foremost type, and for causing said pusher to move saidforemost type through said opening and to said point of discharge, meansfor holding back said movable guide after said movable abutment has beenmoved as aforesaid up to said foremost type and until said foremost typehas substantially as set forth been moved sufficiently through saidopening, and means for then liberating said movable guide to allow saidmovable guide to be forced near to said foremost type so as to guide itin its further movement.

10. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of saidtypes by said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sidesof said trough, a support leading from said opening to a point ofdischarge, a fixed guide forming a continuation of said fixed abutmentand adapted to guide the front face of said foremost type while it isbeing moved over said support to said point of discharge,a movable guideadapted to guide the rear face of said foremost type while itis being somoved to said point of discharge, means for forcing said movable guidetoward said fixed guide, and means for moving said movable guide awayfrom said fixed guide, for then moving said movable abutment up to saidforemost type, and for causing said pusher to move said foremost typethrough said opening and to said point of discharge, said movableabutment and said movable guide being adapted when said movable abutmenthas guide until said foremost type has substantially as set forth beenmoved sufficiently through said opening and then to become disengaged soas to allow said movable guide to be moved up to said foremost type.

IOC

IIC

11. In a type-distributingmachine, a typethereof, means forforcing aline of types along in said trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limitthe movement of said types by said means, a pusher and a movableabutment on opposite sides of said trough, a support leading fromsaidopening to a point of dis charge, a fixed guide forming a continuationof said fixed abutment and adapted to guide the front face of saidforemost type whileit is being moved over said support to said point ofdischarge,a movable guide adapted to guide the rear face of saidforemost type While-it is being so moved to said point of discharge, ashaft, a ratchet device and a cam both fixed to said shaft, a pawl-levermounted to be turned to and fro about said shaft, a pawl mounted on saidpawl-lever and adapted to engage said ratchet device, a disengagingdevice adapted to disengagesaid pawl from said ratchet device, a catchadapted normally to retain said movable abutment away from said foremosttype and to liberate said movable abutment on being operated by saidcam, means for connecting together said shaft and said movable guide sothat rotation of the former will move the latter away from said fixedguide, means for automatically moving said movable abutment and saidmovable guide toward said type-trough and said fixed guide respectively,and key mechanism adapted to be caused by the depression of a key tomove said pawl-lever so as by turning said shaft by means of saidratchet device first to liberate said catch and so allow said movableabutment to move upto said foremost type, then to hold said movableguide back from said fixed guide, and finally to liberate said movableguide by the disengagement of said pawl by said disengaging device andso allow said movable abutment to move up to said foremost type afterowing to the action of said key mechanism said pusher has substantiallyas set forth moved said foremost type sufficiently through said opening,

12. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of types along insaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement ofsaidtypes by said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on oppositesides of said trough, a support leading from said opening to a point ofdischarge, a fixed guide forming a continuation of said fixed abutmentand adapted to guide the front face of said foremost type while it isbeing. moved over said support to said point of discharge, a movableguide adapted to guide the rear face of said foremost type while it isbeing so moved to said point of discharge, means for forcing saidmovable abutment and said movable guide toward said type-trough and saidfixed guide respectively, a catch adapted normally to retain saidmovable abutment away from said foremost type, a shaft, a cam and'aratchet device both fixed to said shaft,

a pawl-lever mounted to be turned to and fro about said shaft, means forconnecting said shaft with said movable guide so that rotation of theformer will move the latter away from said fixed guide, key mechanismadapted to be caused by the depression of a key first to turn saidpawl-lever and thereby to disengage said catch and allow said movableabutment to move up to said foremost type, and then to move said pusherso as to eject said foremost type through said opening, and also adaptedafter the liberation of said movable abutment as aforesaid to hold backsaid movable guide, and means for disengaging said pawl from saidratchet device when said foremost type has substantially as set forthbeen sufficiently moved through said opening, said movable abutmentbeing adapted to prevent said movable guide from moving up to saidforemost type until said foremost type has been sufficiently moved asaforesaid and then to allow said movable guide to move up to saidforemost type. I

13. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side, thereof, means for forcing a line of type alongsaid trough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of the typeby said means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sides of saidtrough, means for causing said pusher and movable abutment to support onopposite sides the foremost type of said line of type, said pusher tomove said foremost type while so supported through said opening, and anelastic device which is arranged normally to bear against types locatedin said trough and opposite 'to said opening but is adapted when saidforemost type is being moved through said opening by said pusher toallow the exit of said foremost type through said opening and at thesame time to retain in said trough the type or types adjacent to saidforemost type and opposite to said opening.

14:. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of type along saidtrough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of the type bysaid means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sides of saidtrough, means for causing said pusher and movable abutment to support onopposite sides the foremost-type of said line of type, said pusher tomove said foremost type while so supported through said opening, and aflexible elastic device which is arranged normally to bear against typeslocated in said trough and opposite to said opening but is adapted whensaid foremost type is being moved through said opening by said pusher tobe bent thereby and so allow the exit of said foremost type through saidopening and at the same time to retain in said trough the type or typesadjacent to said foremost type and opposite to said opening.

- 15. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of type along saidtrough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of the type bysaid means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sides of saidtrough, means for causing said pusher and movable abutment to support onopposite sides the foremost type of said line of type, said pusher tomove said foremost type while so supported through said opening, and adevice comprising holding means and flexible projections which extendtherefrom and are adapted to bear elastically and separately againstsaid foremost type and the ad jacent type located in said trough andopposite to said opening and of which one or more is or are adapted whensaid foremost type is being moved through said opening by said pusher tobe bent thereby and so allow the exit of said foremost type through saidopening and of which others or another are or is adapted when saidforemost type is being moved through said opening by said pusher toretain said adjacent type in said trough.

16. In a type-distributing machine, a typetrough having a type-exitopening at one side thereof, means for forcing a line of type along saidtrough, a fixed abutment arranged to limit the movement of the type bysaid means, a pusher and a movable abutment on opposite sides of saidtrough, means for causing said pusher and movable abutment to support onopposite sides the foremost type of said line of type, said pusher tomove said foremost type while so supported through said opening, and adevice comprising holding means and flexible projections of which one ormore extends or extend therefrom and is or are adapted to bearelastically against said foremost type but to be bent thereby and soallow the exit of said foremost type through said opening and of whichothers or another extend or extends therefrom and are or is adapted tobear elastically against the type adjacent to said foremost type but notagainst said foremost type and to retain said adjacent type in saidtrough when said foremost type is being moved through said opening bysaid pusher.

Signed at London, England, this 7th day of May, 1904:.

EDWARD AUGUSTUS ADCOCK.

Witnesses:

, H. D. JAMESON, A. NUTTING.

